BROMPHENIRAMINE; PSEUDOEPHEDRINE; DEXTROMETHORPHAN (brome fen IR a meen; soo doe e FED rin; dex troe meth OR fan) is a combination of an antihistamine, decongestant, and cough suppressant. It is used to treat cough and the symptoms of allergy and colds. This medicine will not treat an infection.
What should I tell my care team before I take this medication?
They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
blockage in your bowels
diabetes (high blood sugar)
glaucoma
heart disease
high blood pressure
kidney disease
lung or breathing disease (asthma, COPD)
prostate disease
stomach ulcers, other stomach or intestine problems
taken an MAOI such as Marplan, Nardil, or Parnate in last 14 days
thyroid disease
an unusual or allergic reaction to brompheniramine, pseudoephedrine, dextromethorphan, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
pregnant or trying to get pregnant
breast-feeding
How should I use this medication?
Take this medicine by mouth. Take it as directed on the label. Use a specially marked oral syringe, spoon, or dropper to measure each dose. Ask your pharmacist if you do not have one. Household spoons are not accurate. Do not take it more often than directed.
Talk to your health care provider about the use of this medicine in children. While this drug may be prescribed for children as young as 2 years for selected conditions, precautions do apply.
Patients over 65 years of age may have a stronger reaction to this medicine and need smaller doses.
What if I miss a dose?
This does not apply. This medicine is not for regular use. It should only be used as needed.
What may interact with this medication?
Do not take this medicine with any of the following medications:
ergot alkaloids like dihydroergotamine, ergonovine, ergotamine, methylergonovine
MAOIs like Marplan, Nardil, and Parnate
ozanimod
This medicine may also interact with the following medications:
alcohol
certain medicines for anxiety or sleep
certain medicines for depression like amitriptyline, fluoxetine, sertraline
certain medicines for seizures like phenobarbital, primidone
general anesthetics like halothane, isoflurane, methoxyflurane, propofol
medicines for blood pressure
medicines that relax muscles for surgery
narcotic medicines for pain
other antihistamines for allergy, cough, and cold
phenothiazines like chlorpromazine, mesoridazine, prochlorperazine, thioridazine
What side effects may I notice from receiving this medication?
Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:
allergic reactions (skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue)
increase in blood pressure
seizures
serotonin syndrome (irritable; confusion; diarrhea; fast or irregular heartbeat; muscle twitching; stiff muscles; trouble walking; sweating; high fever; seizures; chills; vomiting)
trouble passing urine
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report these to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):
anxious
dizziness
dry mouth
trouble sleeping
unusually weak or tired
What should I watch for while using this medication?
Visit your health care provider for regular checks on your progress. Tell your health care provider if your symptoms do not start to get better or if they get worse.
You may get drowsy or dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness until you know how this medicine affects you. Do not stand or sit up quickly, especially if you are an older patient. This reduces the risk of dizzy or fainting spells. Alcohol may interfere with the effect of this medicine. Avoid alcoholic drinks.
Your mouth may get dry. Chewing sugarless gum or sucking hard candy and drinking plenty of water may help. Contact your health care provider if the problem does not go away or is severe.
Where should I keep my medication?
Keep out of the reach of children and pets.
Store at room temperature between 20 and 25 degrees C (68 and 77 degrees F). Get rid of any unused medicine after the expiration date.
To get rid of medicines that are no longer needed or have expired:
Take the medicine to a medicine take-back program. Check with your pharmacy or law enforcement to find a location.
If you cannot return the medicine, check the label or package insert to see if the medicine should be thrown out in the garbage or flushed down the toilet. If you are not sure, ask your health care provider. If it is safe to put it in the trash, pour the medicine out of the container. Mix the medicine with cat litter, dirt, coffee grounds, or other unwanted substance. Seal the mixture in a bag or container. Put it in the trash.
K Health articles are all written and reviewed by MDs, PhDs, NPs, or PharmDs and are for informational purposes only. This information does not constitute and should not be relied on for professional medical advice. Always talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of any treatment.
This information is educational only and should not be construed as specific instructions for individual patients nor as a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Talk to your health care provider or pharmacist about the information and instructions. K Health assumes no liability for any use or reliance on this information.
